Transparent element, especially a composite glass element

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a transparent element ( 6 ) comprising at least one transparent pane ( 20 ). At least one receiving element ( 5 ) in the form of an opening ( 11 ) can be provided in said transparent element, for at least one media consumer ( 7 ) which can be an illuminant ( 14 ), e.g. an LED, a loudspeaker, or another energy converter. The media supply for supplying or connecting the media consumer is integrated into the transparent element ( 6 ). Said media supply is preferably a current supply and, in the case of composite glass panes, is provided between the panes, for example, integrated into an insulating plastic layer or into a cast resin layer.

FIELD OF APPLICATION AND PRIOR ART

The invention relates to a transparent element, which is in particularconstructed as a composite glass element. The transparent element has atleast one transparent pane.

Besides windows, there are numerous other fields of use for transparentelements, e.g. large-area glass fronts of buildings, shop windows,building roof elements, etc. In particular, modern architecture isgreatly in favour of transparent elements in order to make buildingsappear more lively.

It is known from EP 900971 A1 to fix light emitting diodes to a glassplate and which are supplied with power by means of thin, invisibleconducting tracks. The diodes are fitted to the same glass plate surfaceon which the light emitting diodes are located.

EP 593940 A1 describes a composite glass pane with an incorporated wire,which is contacted from the pane rim, a plug contact being fitted to theglass surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,303 discloses a composite pane with anelectrochromatic intermediate layer and U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,398discloses a composite pane with an electric heater incorporated into theintermediate layer.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,289 describes an electroluminescent elementincorporated between the panes and which is supplied with power from thepane rim or edge.

PROBLEM AND SOLUTION

Therefore the problem of the invention is to provide a transparentelement offering additional possibilities of use.

This problem is solved by a transparent element having the features ofclaim 1.

The transparent element according to the invention is characterized inthat it has at least one receptacle for at least one media consumer. Themedia supply for the media consumer is integrated into the transparentelement and the media supply e.g. passes between two panes. However, itis also conceivable to integrate the media supply into the panematerial, e.g. to embed it therein.

The receptacle is preferably an opening in one of at least twointerconnected panes between which passes the media supply, e.g. anelectric conduction in the form of a transparent layer or a thin wire.

The transparent element is preferably of glass. However, it is alsopossible to use a transparent plastic, e.g. acrylic glass. The at leastone pane of the transparent element is preferably planar or flat.However, it is also possible to use panes with curved areas.

Preferably the media consumer is an electric load and consequently themedia supply is a power or current supply. The electric load can e.g. beconstituted by a lighting device with one or more illuminants, e.g.lamps. Consequently the transparent element has a type of activelighting function. Acoustic devices can also be used, e.g. loudspeakers.Here the transparent element has a public address function. The mediaconsumer can also be an optical device, e.g. a surveillance camera. Heator temperature sensors can also be used as media consumers. Thetransparent element can e.g. be a shop window into which is integrated alighting device with several lights or lamps. This permits anirradiation of the shop window display from the outside, i.e. from theshop window. This has the advantage that the observer is not dazzled.Moreover, with such an irradiation the space available for the goods tobe displayed is greater, because the lighting device is not fixeddirectly in the display surface, as is the case with conventional shopwindow displays, but instead in the actual shop window. It is alsoconceivable for the transparent element to be at least part of a glassshop passage, e.g. a glass roof, to which one or more loudspeakers arefitted, so as to allow a public address from above.

Media consumers are understood here to be all devices or means able tomodify or convert the supplied medium or an energy state. Thus, it isunderstood to cover energy converters, signal generators, etc.

It is also possible for the media consumer to be a non-electric consumeror load, e.g. a light guide supplying a media consumer in the form of alight exit and which is positioned in an opening of one of the panes.For example, one or more sprinkler nozzle can be provided as mediaconsumers.

Preferably the media supply takes place in invisible manner. In the caseof a current supply the transparent element can be coated with atransparent, electrically conductive and power-transmitting layer. Thetransparent element is free from any visible media supply lines, whichcould impair its esthetics.

The layer can be applied in the form of relatively narrow, e.g. a fewmillimetres wide conducting tracks. It is alternatively possible to havea full-surface coating of the panes, e.g. on the insides directedtowards an insulating intermediate layer of the composite pane.Preferably the layer is a transparent, metal-based foil or a metallizingfoil. The conducting tracks can be formed by foil strips.

The media supply can also be visible, e.g. using thin wires with adiameter of 0.07 to 0.1 mm, particularly 0.03 to 0.06 mm, which can e.g.be used for the power supply of LEDs.

If two interconnectable, transparent panes are provided, the mediasupply is located between the panes. The transparent element can e.g. bea composite glass element, in which at least two panes are bondedtogether by means of a cast resin layer or in particularly preferredmanner by a transparent foil or film. The media supply, e.g. in the formof wires, can then be embedded in the intermediate layer or can be inthe form of transparent, electrically conducting layers between theintermediate layer and the glass panes. It is alternatively possible toprovide a composite safety glass element, in which the at least twopanes are interconnected by means of a special foil, a so-called VSGfoil. The foil is preferably made from plastic, e.g. polyvinyl butyral(PVB).

The cutout or opening serving as the receptacle for the media consumer,can e.g. be a hole or a recess, in which e.g. in the case of a lightingdevice a holder-can be inserted, which in turn receives an illuminant.The fixing of the media consumer, e.g. the holder thereof, can takeplace by means of an adhesive. It is possible to use a two-componentadhesive and/or a UV-curing adhesive, or a two-component adhesive with aUV-curing component. In the case of an invisible media supply, theadhesive can also be transparent. It is naturally also possible for thelighting device holder to be transparent. When there are several panes,e.g. a composite glass element, preferably at least one pane has the atleast one cutout, whereas at least one further pane is cutout-free andcan therefore serve as a contact protection for the media consumer.

An advantage of fitting the consumer or load in or on an opening is itsaccessibility for replacement or the like. This also provides furtheruse possibilities, e.g. for heat or sound-generating consumers, such asloudspeakers. It can also be advantageous for there to also be anopening in the second pane of the composite element.

There can also be three transparent panes, whereof at least two areouter panes and at least one is a central pane. The media consumer canbe fitted in an opening of the central pane. For example, one of theouter panes can be an insulating glass pane, which in turn comprises twopane parts, which are separated from one another by a heat insulatinggas layer.

It is also possible in the case of several panes for the individualpanes to be detachably interconnected by a clamping system. It isadvantageous to provide a rubber seal for sealing the gap between thepanes. A replacement of the media consumer is possible if it is locatedbetween the panes or is integrated into a central pane. This also makesthe media supply accessible for repair purposes.

A building roof element can at least partly comprise a transparentmaterial and form at least one transparent element or can have at leastone disk-like, transparent element, e.g. with a lighting device. Thetransparent element or the roof element can comprise a transparentplastic or glass. On the edge of the transparent element can be providedelectric terminals for the current supply of the illuminant usingtransparent conducting tracks, which are e.g. connected to a powersupply device integrated into the roof element holder.

The illuminants can comprise LEDs, which form a dot matrix, so that itis possible to form a moving text display.

If each of the panes carries at least one transparent, full-surfaceconducting track, it is possible to transmit high currents of above 10 Aand consequently also operate a lighting device with low voltage.

If the transparent element is an insulating glass pane, at least one ofthe glass panes can be a composite glass pane with an insulating plasticlayer between the same.

The building roof element can form at least part of a projecting roof orcanopy e.g. located in the entrance area of buildings. It is possible tointegrate into the canopy building roof element several different typesof in particular electric media consumers. For example, there can be alighting device with at least one light unit, e.g. a halogen lightsource. Alternatively or additionally there can be a movement signallingdevice with at least one movement sensor. A surveillance mechanism withat least one surveillance camera can be alternatively or additionallyused. It is alternatively possible to form a luminous house number bythe provision of LEDs. It is also possible to integrate a conventional,non-luminous house number, e.g. a house number panel and irradiate thesame by emitters integrated into the canopy. It is possible to make thepower supply leading to the lighting device integrated into the canopybuilding element invisible, so that a type of “starry sky” is formed,the individual lights appearing to the observer to float in the airquasi-disconnected from their power supply and forming “stars”.

These and further features can be gathered from the claims, descriptionand drawings and the individual features, in each case singly or in theform of subcombination, can be implemented in an embodiment of theinvention and in other fields and can represent advantageous,independently protectable constructions. The subdivision of theapplication into individual sections and the subheadings in no wayrestricts the general validity of the statements made thereunder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Several embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter relativeto the attached drawings, wherein show:

FIG. 1 A diagrammatic representation of a longitudinal section through atransparent element.

FIG. 2 A diagrammatic representation of a longitudinal section through atransparent element in the form of a composite glass pane.

FIG. 3 A diagrammatic plan view of a transparent element with intimatedmedia supply.

FIG. 4 A diagrammatic representation of a longitudinal section trough atransparent element with an insulating glass pane.

FIG. 5 A plan view of a transparent element.

FIG. 5A A plan view of the transparent element according to FIG. 5 withalternative current conduction.

FIG. 6 A diagrammatic representation of a house entrance canopy

FIGS. 7 & 8 Differently equipped canopies according to FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 The roof structure of a conservatory.

FIG. 10 A pedestrian bridge with integrated, illuminated roof elements.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter the transparent element 6 is explained relative to a glasselement for a building roof. Alternatively the transparent element 6 cancomprise transparent plastic, e.g. acrylic glass. The media consumer ischosen in the form of an electric load 7 constituted by a lightingdevice with an illuminant 14, so that the media supply is a current orpower supply.

FIG. 1 shows a transparent element 6 with a pane 20 of single-paneglass, e.g. float glass or polished plate glass. The pane thickness isbetween 1.5 and 19 mm, in exceptional cases up to 24 mm. The transparentpane 20 has an opening 11, here a through hole or bore serving as areceptacle 15 for the illuminant 14. However, it is also possible tomake an offset hole, where a larger hole is followed by a smallerdiameter hole, which in turn serves as a receptacle 5 for the powersupply 9 in the form of a cable or wire 15. Into the hole 11 is bonded aholder 13 into which is screwed the illuminant 14. An adhesive, e.g. aUV-curing adhesive is used for bonding purposes. The holder 13 isconnected to a power supply 9 in the form of a cable 15. The cable 15can be a flat cable, e.g. for halogen light source, or a relatively thinwire with a diameter of approximately 0.05 mm for an illuminant 14 inthe form of a LED. The cable 15 runs preferably on the side of thetransparent pane 20 opposite to the illuminant 14 to the level of hole11 and then through the latter to the holder 13. The opening 11 and backof the pane 20 are covered with a layer 23, which can e.g. comprise aplastic layer, film or disk and is bonded to the pane. It can also beprovided with a slot for receiving the cable 15.

In place of the cable 15 the power supply can be constituted by atransparent, electrically conducting and power-transmitting layer. Thelayer can be a metal-based foil applied in the form of foil stripsconstituting conducting tracks 10, 12 12 (FIG. 3) to the outside of thetransparent pane 20. The application of a transparent layer offers theadvantage that the power supply 9 is not visible and consequently doesnot prejudice the overall impression of the transparent element 6

FIG. 2 shows as the transparent element 6 a composite glass elementcomprising two glass panes 20, 22. The two panes 20, 22 are bondedtogether by means of a connecting layer 16. The connecting layer 16 canbe a cast resin layer or in the case of a composite safety glass one ormore elastic, high tensile strength plastic films, so-called VSG films.Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) can e.g. be used as the plastic. The fixing ofthe illuminant 14 in the form of a light emitting diode, together withthe holder 13, can take place in the manner described relative toFIG. 1. Fixing in the area around the opening 11 is also possible.Current-supplying wires 15 are embedded in the connecting layer 16. Itis also possible here to fit a transparent layer covered in insulatingmanner by the connecting layer 16.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of element 6 according to FIG. 2. The currentsupply 7 in the form of electrically conducting, transparent, strip-likelayers applied to the pane 20 on the surface facing the connecting layerleads from both sides to the illuminant 14 and is contacted with thelatter. In the case of several illuminants on one disk, they can beconnected in series or in parallel.

FIG. 4 shows a transparent element 6 with two transparent panes 20, 23bonded together by means of a connecting layer 16. One of the two panesis an insulating glass pane 23. The insulating glass pane 23 in turn hastwo insulating glass pane parts 23 a, 23 b separated from one another bya gas-filled gap 23 c, the gas acting as thermal insulation. The gas canbe air or an inert gas, e.g. argon, krypton or xenon, gas mixtures alsobeing possible. The distance between the two insulating glass pane parts23 a, 23 b is 5 to 25 mm. The pane 20 has a hole 11 for receiving anilluminant. The illuminant 14 is completely integrated into the hole 11.The current supply can take place in accordance with FIGS. 2 and 3.Without impeding accessibility to the consumer or load 14, an additionalpane 22 can be placed using a clamping system in front of pane 20. Thisalso permits repairs to the current supply, e.g. if there is a looseconnection or a cable is damaged.

FIG. 6 shows a transparent element 6, in which the current-conductingcables 15 are deliberately visible. The visible cables 15 run much as inthe embodiment of FIG. 2 in the connecting layer 16 between the panes20, 22 up to the level of holes 11 and pass through the latter, so thatthey can be connected to the load 7. There are also further holes 28used for fixing the transparent element, e.g. as a canopy glass elementwith the aid of supports or rods. As a function of their use, the holes28 can be randomly positioned.

FIG. 5 a shows the transparent element of FIG. 5 with the power supply 7in series connection.

FIG. 6 shows a house facade to which is fixed a transparent element 6 inthe form of a projecting roof or canopy 4 using a holder 2. The holder 2can be supported by holding rod 3 or cables in order to permit higherroof loads.

On the side of the roof element 4 facing the holder 2, two lineterminals pass out of the faces of the roof element 4 and are connectedto at least two conducting tracks integrated into the roof element 4applied by coating to the panes 20, 22 of the transparent element 6. Thetransparent conducting tracks make it possible to transmit currentintensities of more than 10 a and up to approximately 20 A to a lightingdevice 14. The coating of the glass with a transparent, electricallyconducting layer is fundamentally known from WO 99/03111. The conductingtracks 10, 12 can be applied in accordance with a specific pattern tothe transparent element 6 in order to permit the power supply of thelighting device illuminant 14.

Preferably the roof element 4 or transparent element 6 is made from acomposite glass constituted by two glass panes and an intermediateinsulating plastic layer and then the conducting tracks 10, 12 can beapplied in full-surface manner to in each case one of the glass panes.

The openings of the lower pane 20 having the illuminants 14, aredirected downwards and are consequently protected against atmosphericinfluences. The illuminant 14 could be located on a random side of theroof element and contact both conducting tracks 10, 12 in order to besupplied with power. Current-supplying elements are then visible at nopoint on the roof element 4.

In the case of an insulating glass pane 23 the illuminants 14 can alsobe placed in the cavity between the panes of the insulating glass pane23.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment to FIG. 6, in which theilluminants 14 are located in a disk-like, transparent element 6 fixedto the roof element 4.

In this case the roof element 4 can itself be made from transparent ornon-transparent material and only the disk-like element 6 istransparent. Power is then supplied in invisible manner via fixingelements of the transparent element 8 and the transparent conductingtracks 10, 12 are then provided in the transparent element 6 and canalso additionally be provided in the roof element 4.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7. In the disk-like, transparent element areprovided several LEDs 14, which are integrated into the element 8preferably comprising a glass pane. Additional illuminants 14 can befixed to the underside of the transparent element 8 and are invisiblysupplied with power through openings 11.

FIG. 9 shows the integration of roof elements 4 into a conservatorymaking it possible to provide in said conservatory an illuminated roofsurface without disturbing visible power supply means and withoutseparate lighting devices on the conservatory supports.

FIG. 10 shows a further use in the case of pedestrian bridges, such asare known on fair terrains, also for linking two buildings.

In all embodiments and in particular in the case of roof elements 4 inpedestrian bridges, the lighting device can also be placed on the roofelements 4 in such a way that they form with the aid of LEDs 14 a dotmatrix displaying information. It is e.g. possible to displayadvertisements or other information in computer-controlled manner usingmoving text displays via LEDs 14 on the roof element surfaces.

1. Transparent element, particularly composite glass element, which hasat least one transparent pane (20, 22), the transparent element (6)having at least one receptacle (5) for at least one media consumer (7)and the media supply (9) for supplying the media consumer (7) isintegrated into the transparent element (6).
 2. Transparent elementaccording to claim 1, characterized in that it has two glass panes (20,22), whereof one pane (20) has as the receptacle (5) an opening, that inor on the opening (11) is provided the media consumer (7), that betweenboth panes (20, 22) is provided a gap (16), preferably filled with aninsulating, transparent material and optionally interconnecting thepanes and in said gap runs the media supply (9) supplying the mediaconsumer (7) through the opening (11).
 3. Transparent element accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the media consumer (7) is an electricload or energy converter and the media supply (9) is a current or powersupply.
 4. Transparent element according to claim 1, characterized inthat the media supply (9) is a light guide supplying the media consumer.5. Transparent element according to claim 1, characterized in that themedia supply takes place in invisible manner, particularly by means of acoating of at least one of the panes (20, 22) with at least onetransparent, preferably electrically conducting and power-transmittinglayer, the layer optionally being in the form of narrow conductingtracks (10, 12).
 6. Transparent element according to claim 5,characterized in that the layer is a transparent, metal-based foil andpreferably the conducting tracks (10, 12) are formed by foil strips. 7.Transparent element according to claim 1, characterized in that the pane(20) broken by the receptacle (5) is adhesively connected flat to atleast one further pane (22) by means of a foil (16), the connectionpreferably taking place by heating under pressure.
 8. Transparentelement according to claim 7, characterized in that the panes (20, 22)and optionally a further covering pane (23) for the pane (20) providedwith the openings (11) are detachably interconnected by a clampingsystem.
 9. Transparent element according to claim 8, characterized inthat in the case of several panes (20, 22, 23), at least one pane (20)has the opening (11) and at least one further cutout-free pane (23)serves as a contact protection.
 10. Transparent element according toclaim 1, characterized in that it is a building roof or canopy element.